How Much Value Added Should You Expect From Investors?

When I first saw these phrases, and others like them, I actually believed them. The last thing I wanted to do was roll my eyes.

 

I actually believed them. Man, that was painful to admit. But, I was a dog, eating the dogfood being fed to me.

I was the target audience, and I bought it hook, line, and sinker. Oh how naive I was.

These are, of course, the headlines on the home pages of venture capital firms. Don’t they look great and inspiring?

I mean look at them. Just look at them:

 

“Change depends upon unreasonable people.”

 

My younger self would look at that and say, “Cool. I can be unreasonable. These guys are for me.”

Now, I just laugh, and roll my eyes.

 

“Brutal honesty trumps hypocritical politeness.”

 

My younger self would look at that and say, “Cool. They’re going to tell me the truth. I love it!”

Now, I roll my eyes and say, “Sure thing.”

 

“We help the daring build legendary companies.”

 

My younger self would look at that and say, “Cool. I’m daring. I want to work with these guys.”

Now, I roll my eyes and say, “I just hope they give me their money.”

 

“Partnering with ambitious early-stage founders building category-defining companies.”

 

My younger self would look at that and say, “ Cool. I’m ambitious. We’re building a category defining company. I want to work with them.”

Now. I know better. I roll my eyes, and say, “They’re just money people, Brett.”

 

“We help entrepreneurs build market leaders.”

 

My younger self would look at that and say, “Cool. These guys are going to actually HELP ME. I want them to invest in us.”

Now, I roll my eyes and say, “Yeah, right.”

 

You need to understand that venture capital firms are investors. That’s it. Anything else positive you get working with them is a happy surprise.

 

I’ve been thinking about my Dad all day today. He passed away 14 years ago today.

He died instantly from a massive heart attack that killed him instantly. It was an abrupt ending to his life.

At the time he died, it was unbelievably painful. However, just like a wise man said about losing someone you love, there will come a time when the memory of the person you love will put a smile on your face.

I’m smiling as I think about the conversations my Dad and I used to have about VCs back in the day. My Dad used to say, “Everyone’s money is green.”

I’m smiling as I write this because, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve truly realized the wisdom of my Dad’s words. He was so, so right.

I miss you Dad. You will never be forgotten.

 

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